When authors whose books you read stop publishing, do you wonder why?
Several authors whose work I have enjoyed have stopped publishing. Some make public announcements, but many do not. Authors like: Olivia Cunning, J.M. Darhower, Katy Evans, C.M. Foss, Linda Fairstein, Earlene Fowler, Cara McKenna, Katja Millay, Leah Raeder/Elliot Wake, Tina Reber, LaVyrle Spencer, Tammara Webber, and Joanna Wylde. These are some of “my” authors who have ceased publishing. I feel fortunate that I enjoy re-reading special books, but I also acknowledge that I most assuredly miss continuing books from these authors.
Within the following list are the actual reasons that several of the authors mentioned above stopped publishing.
Observations and Questions
- This is about publishing and not writing.
- We can be curious and still be respectful.
- I'm aware of why a few of the above authors have stopped publishing, but I respectfully withhold proclaiming such.
- Some have mostly (or completely) disappeared from social media and even deleted their websites.
- Some authors use pseudonyms and ostensibly disappear by using their real names.
- Does keeping an air of mystery positively affect their book sales in perpetuity?
- Some authors return to publishing after lengthy breaks without an explanation.
- Did they decide it was time to retire?
- Did they feel their books weren’t doing well enough?
- Did they feel they didn’t have any more stories to tell?
- Did they feel like they couldn't keep up with the trends?
- Did they doubt their abilities?
- Did they feel any rewards weren’t worth the negativity and possible outright animosity directed at them/their books?
- Did they change careers?
- Was there a scandal?
- Were there accusations of plagiarism?
- Were there health reasons?
- Family reasons, such as divorce or illness?
- We can certainly wish them well.
How do you handle it when your authors no longer publish?
Edited to add on 08/03/2024: Upon further investigation for updates about the above authors, I found a substantial amount of speculation and hearsay on sites such as Facebook and Reddit. I also noticed people posting updates claiming knowledge of some of the authors. If it isn't posted by the author or administrator, I won't consider it official. Although I can understand being disappointed when there are no forthcoming books, can we initially feel concern for their well-being? They are not writing machines; they are humans, and things happen that must take precedence over placating readers with an inappropriate sense of entitlement.
(rev. 08/03/2025)
